Boutilimit (Nouakchott) – Saint Louis

This day we had once again to catch up with the race. We ate some easy breakfast in the hotel parking in the morning, and planned on how to proceed towards the Senegalese border.

The road going there was supposed to be a tar road. It had more craters than the surface of the moon. It meant we had to go on and off, or do sudden stop not to break off or severely damage any vital parts.

It took almost an hour more than planned to reach the border. Today we even had lunch by the ponds of a national park with birds, boars and crocodiles. Actually there had just been what we estimated was a 3 meter long crocodile just where we sat down to eat. Going back on to the road, we heard on the CB radio that we started leaking diesel again. The temporary fix we did previously did not hold up, and now the car was pissing diesel. Salvaging what we could we put the jerry can beneath and let it be filled as Anders tried to come up with a new MacGyver fix consisting of a screw, some tape and a piece of metal. Anyhow we filled the main tank and the jerry cans with what we could and had to leave the rest as it was.

Again the border crossing was chaotic and costs money. Not sure if it is registered anywhere or if it goes straight into pocket of the commandant. We never received any receipt on any of them. This time they also wanted a coke and some give-aways before they let us pass into Senegal. On this side there was an agent that made the officials go super fast. Of course he charged €10 for the services from everyone, but then again it took at most 5 minutes before we rolled across the border. From thereon everything changed. Senegal is one of the more stable countries in the region. People seem to live a happier life, with better clothes, better houses, electricity, driveable cars and less trash. Passing through Saint Luis made us feel safe again. People greeted and it was no longer any police controls or any handing out of Fiches. Zebrabar, the place where we stayed for this night was built and is operated by a Swiss couple that have been living here for 20 years.

The best news for the day was that we could buy beer as any alcohol was forbidden in Mauritania. The place was like a paradise with palm trees and a beach. Absolutely a gem we will remember and recommend. We had now been driving with our Hungarian friends for several days and a lasting relationship was starting to form. From now on we always travelled together.